Regulator



Patented Mar. 5, 1940 2,192,327

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REGULATOR Valentine P. Palmer, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Garnet W. McKee, Rockford, Ill.

Application June 27, 1936, Serial No. 87,648

Claims. (Cl. 50-26) The present invention relates generally to of a vertically extending sleeve which extends pressure regulators. More particularly the inin spaced relation around the valve and tervention relates to that type of regulator which minates at its upper end adjacent to, but slightly is designed for use in a system for supplying inwardly of, the gas outlet and operates to direct 5 gas to household or industrial gas burning apthe gas into the outlet in such a concentrated 5 pliances, serves to maintain substantial uniformor confined stream that during operation of the ity of pressure of the gas in the usual piping burner at full or high capacity there is-no likelibetween it and the appliances regardless of the hood of the outer portion of the stream striking rate of flow of the gas, and embodies as the against the outlet forming portion of the casing main parts thereof (1) an elongated horizontally and deploying outwards under the diaphragm 10 extending casing which comprises a lower part and thus causing either elimination of the jet having a gas chamber therein and embodying at action and a resultant drop or decrease in the one of its ends an inlet for the gas and a gas outlet pressure of the gas or such flow of the outlet above and in registry with the inlet, and gas within the casing that the regulator tends lb also comprises an upper part over the gas chamto hunt or surge. ber; (2) a diaphragm which is clamped between Another object of the invention is to provide the upper and lower parts of the casing and is a pressure regulator of the last mentioned charresponsive to fluctuations in the pressure of the acter in which the sleeve for directing or guiding gas in the chamber; (3) a horizontal lever which the gas upwards in a concentrated or confined 3n extends lengthwise of, and is centrally fulcrumed stream into the outlet has a vertical longitudinal in, the chamber and is operatively connected at slot in its upper end for accommodating the one end thereof to the diaphragm; (4) a valve valve carrying end of the lever and operates which is mounted on the other end of the lever to confine and direct upwards into the conlor limited universal movement and operates in centrated stream the portion of the gas which response to fluctuation or operation of the diaimpinges or strikes against the bottom face of phragm to control the flow of gas flowing through the lever and tends to flow laterally or outwards the casing from the inlet to the outlet for pressure under the diaphragm.

r ulati g r n r l purposes; and (5) means A further object of the invention is to provide whereby When the Valve is pen the gas after a pressure regulator of the type and character striking against the b m face of h v v is under consideration which includes a novel arcaused to flow upwards in a thin tubular stream rangement whereby the valve is supported for around the outer face of the valve an th n to limited universal movement with respect to the p s directly into the Outlet in Such manner as lever and in which the sleeve for directing the to create adjacent to the inner end of the outlet gas upwards t th t t in a concentrated a jet action which increases in magnitude as the or fi d Stream is connected to move with rate of flow of the gas into the outlet increases the Va1ve and thus effects a corresponding diminutionpr A still further object f the invention is t decrease of Pressure of the gas under the provide a pressure regulator which is generally phmgm with the result that the regulator 15 of new and improved construction and may be vm so controlled that the outlet pressure of the gas manufactured at a low and reasonable cost is either uniform or constant at all times or other objects of the invention and the various increases .slightly as the of flow of the gas advantages and characteristics of the present from the mlet to the outlet Increases pressure regulator will be apparent from a con- One obiect of the invention is to provide a sideration of the following detailed description. pressure regulator of this type which Is an 1m The invention consists the several novel provement upon, and is more eflicient than, previously designed regulators of the same gene features which are hereinafter set forth and are character and for the same purpose by reason particularly defined by claims at the of the fact that the means whereby the gas 011151011 after striking the bottom face of the valve is In the drawmg Wh 1ch accompanies and forms caused to flow upwards in a thin tubular stream a p Of thlS speclficatlon (11501051111? d around the outer or side face of the valve and in which like numerals of reference denote correthen to pass directly into the outlet in such sponding parts throughout the several views: manner as to create a jet action adjacent to Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the inner portion of the outletin the form a pressure regulator embodying the invention; 5

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lever;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the valve and sleeve;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective of the sleeve which surrounds the valve and serves to control the gas so that after impinging or striking against the bottom face of the valve it is caused to flow upwards in a tubular stream around the valve and then into the gas outlet of the regulator casing.

The regulator which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention and is adapted for use in a system for supplying gas from a gas main (not shown) to different household or industrial gas burning appliances' (also not shown). It comprises an elongated, horizontally extending cast metal casing l5 and operates to reduce or cut down the pressure of the gas as it flows from the gas main and to maintain substantial uniformity of pressure of the gas flowing to the difierent appliances regardless of the rate of flow of the gas. The casing l5 embodies an upper part l6 and a lower part ll. The lower part of the casing com-' prises a bottom wall lla, a pair of side walls no, a top wall I'Ic, a cross wall "(1 and an end wall He. The top wall He is provided in the central portion thereof with a circular opening l8. The cross wall is located adjacent to the end wall He and with the other walls of the lower part of the casing defines a gas chamber l9 at one side thereof and a relief chamber at its othervside. The end of the lower part II of the casing that is opposite to the end wall He is closed by means of a plate 2| which is removably secured in place by means of bolts 22. The latter, as shown in Figure 1, extend through the margin of the plate and fit within internally threaded holes in a flange 23. A gasket 24 is interposed between the flange and the margin of the plate for sealing purposes. The end of'the lower part of the casing which has the plate 2| embodies an inlet for gas and a gas outlet 26. The inlet 25 is in the form of a tubular part 21 which is formed integrally with and depends from the bottom wall Ho and embodies an internal screw thread 23 for connection to a gas delivery pipe 28a. The latter is in the nature of a branch from the gas main and serves to supply' gas via the inlet 25 into the regulator casing l5. The outlet 26 is in the form 'of a tubular part 29 which is formed integrally with and projects upwardly from the top wall We of the lower part of the casing. The part 29 is located directly above the inlet forming part 21 and embodies an internal screw thread 30 for connection to a service pipe 30a. The latter includes the usual meter (not shown) and serves to conduct gas from the casing of the regulator to the different gas burning appliances which are supplied with gas by the system in which the regulator is employed. The upper part I6 of the casing is located above the opening l8 in the top wall He and is connected removably to the lower part of the casing by means of bolts 3|. The latter extend through an outwardly extending flange 32 on the upper part of the casing and flt within integrally threaded holes or sockets in the portion of the top wall "0 of the lower part of the casing that defines the circular opening l8.

In addition to the casing I5, the regulator comprises a circular diaphragm 33 and a substantially horizontal lever 34. The diaphragm extends across the circular opening It and has the marginal part thereof clamped between the variations in the pressure of the gas in thechamber. The upper face of the diaphragmxis subjected to the action of a spring 35 which extends between a cast metal plate 36 and a hollow adjusting screw 31. The plate 36 fits against the upper face of the diaphragm and is held in place by a screw 38. This screw extends through the center of the diaphragm and is anchored to a plate 39 which fits against the lower face of the diaphragm. The adjusting screw 31 extends through the central portion of the upper part l6 of the casing and is held in place by a lock nut 40. By adjusting the position of the screw 31 the tension of the spring 35 may be varied for regulator setting purposes. A cap 4| is removably secured by a screw thread to the central portion of the upper part It of the casing and serves as a closure for and to protect the lock nut 40 and the upper end of the adjusting screw. The lever 34 is disposed in the gas chamber IS in the lower part of the casing l5. It extends between the gas inlet 25 and the central portion of the plate 39 on the under or bottom side of the diaphragm 33 and is of materially less thickness than height, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. A pin 42 serves as a fulcrum for the lever. This pin extends through a horizontally extending cylindrical bearing member 43 on the central portion of the lever and the ends thereof fit within oppositely facing sockets 44 in the side walls Nb of the lower part of the casing. One of the sockets 44 is open at its outer end so that the pin may be removed from the casing during installation or removal of the lever with respect to the casing. A cap-type plug 45 flts in the socket with the open outer end and serves when screwed into placeto hold the pin against axial displacement. The cylindrical bearing member 43 is formed as an integral part of the lever 34. It projects outwardly from the sides of the lever and is located a small distance inwardly from the end of the lever that is adjacent to the gas inlet 25. A pair of horizontally extending ribs 46 project outwardly from the sides of, and serve to reinforce, the lever, as well as to guide the latter into place when it is inserted into the chamber through the plate closed opening during regulator assembly. The end of the lever that is disposed adjacent to the plate 39 is operatively connected to the diaphragm 33 by means-of a stirrup 41. The latter is connected to, and extends downwardly from the central part of the plate 39 and operates to'swing the lever vertically in response to movement of the diaphragm. The end of the lever that is remotely positioned with respect to the plate 39 and carries the cylindrical bearing member 43, supports a valve 48. This valvecoacts with a valve seat 49 and is adapted in response to swinging of the lever 34 by the diaphragm to control the flow of gas through the casing to the outlet 26. When the pressure of the gas in the chamber l9 increases beyond acertain point the diaphragm 33 is forced up wardly. This upward movement of the diaphragm is in turn imparted to the lever and serves to shift the valve into its closed position in order to cut oif or reduce the inflow of gas and thus maintain uniformity of pressure as far as the gas passing through the outlet 26 is concerned. When the pressure in the gas chamber |9 decreases, the diaphragm 33 moves downwardly and causes the lever 34 to swing so as to shift the valve 48 into its open position. Opening of the valve results in a greater flow of gas to the casing outlet 26 and stabilization or uniformity of pressure. The valve seat 49 is located directly above the gas inlet 25 and is secured to the bottom wall Ila of the lower part-of the casing by a screw thread connection 50. It is provided with a tapered upper part and embodies a central passage 52 through which the gas passes from the inlet 25 to the gas chamber l9. A polygonal flange 53 is formed on the central por-' tion of the valve seat so that the seat may be turned by a wrench or similar turning tool into connected relation with the bottom wall of the casing part IT. A gasket 54 serves to prevent leakage of gas around the valve seat. This gasket is mounted on the central portion of the valve seat and is clamped between the polygonal flange 53 and the subjacent portion of the bottom 'wall Ila of the lower part of the casing. When it is desired to obtain access to the valve seat the plate 2| is removed by withdrawing the bolts 22 from the flange 23.

The valve 48 is in the form of a vertically ex tending cylinder. It is positioned between the gas inlet 25 and the outlet 26 and is formed of brass or any other suitable metal. A circular pocket 55 is formed in the bottom face of the valve and a disk 56 of hard leather or any other suitable sealing material is disposed in this pocket as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing.

The disk 56 is held in place in the pocket in any suitable manner and is adapted to fit against the tapered part 5| of the valve seat 49 in order to close the central passage 52 and cut off the flow of gas from the inlet 25. The end of the lever 34 that supports or carries the valve 48 overlies and is spaced a small distance from the valve and has a notch 51 in the bottom portion thereof. A stud 58 projects upwardly from the central portion of the valve and fits in the notch 51. The lower end of this stud extends into the circular pocket 55 and embodies a circular head 59. The latter serves as an anchor for the stud and is held in the upper portion of the pocket by means of the disk 56. The upper end of the stud is hemispherical and it together with the notch 51 forms a joint or a connection between the valve and the lever whereby the valve is permitted to move universally to a limited extent relatively to the lever. The stud 58 is preferably of such length that the contiguous portion of the lever is positioned sufliciently far from the top of the valve so that the valve may tilt lengthwise of the lever to the proper extent to seat the disk 56 against the tapered part 52 of the valve seat when the lever is swung by the diaphragm into a valve closing position. The valve 48 is smaller in diameter than the outlet 26 and is coaxially disposed with respect to the outlet and the gas inlet 25. The sealing disk 56 is of such thickness that the bottom face thereof is flush with the bottom face of the valve. The bottom corner of the valve, that is the corner between the bottom and side faces, is rounded or curved so that the gas after striking against the disk upon entering the valve casing, flows upwards around the side wall of the valve in a thin annular stream.

In order to control the flow of gas from the inlet 25 to the gas outlet 26 so as to obtain maximum efficiency and substantially perfect performance of the regulator, a vertically extending sleeve 60 of brass or like metal is provided. This sleeve surrounds, and is concentrically positioned with respect to, the valve 48. It is slightly greater in diameter than the valve and is of uniform width or diameter from one end thereof to the other. The lower end of the sleeve forms an annular vertically extending passageway 6| around the valve and the gas which strikes against the bottom face of the valve, that is the sealing disk 56, and is caused to flow upwards as the result of the rounded corner between the bottom and side faces of the valve, passes upwardly in an annular stream through this passageway. A plurality of pins 62 project radially from the side wall of the valve 48 and serve to maintain or hold the sleeve in concentric relation with the valve. These pins are circular in cross-section. They terminate adjacent to holes 63 in the lower end of the sleeve and are either welded or pressed into place or held in fixed relationwith respect to the ring by-small pieces 64 of solder in the holes 63. Preferably there are four pins and these are arranged 90 apart. The holes 63 are smaller in diameter than the pins so that the pins abut against the inner periphery of the sleeve and serve effectively to hold the sleeve in concentric relation with the valve. The extreme bottom portion of the sleeve extends below the bottom face of the valve 48 and surrounds the tapered upper part 5| of the valve seat 49. By having the extreme bottom portion of the sleeve surround said tapered part 5| of the valve seat substantially all of the gas which enters the casing via the inlet 25 is directed upwards through the annular passageway 6|. The sleeve is approximately four times the height of the valve and is smaller in diameter than the gas outlet 26. The upper end of the sleeve terminates a small distance beneath the outlet and serves or operates to discharge the gas which flows upwardly through the annular passage 6| directly into the gas outlet. By controlling or directing the gas so that it flows upwards in an annular stream into the outlet 26 a jet action is produced in the casing l5. This jet action increases in magnitude as the velocity or rate of flow of the gas through the casing increases and due to the resulting diminution of pressure of the gas under the diaphragm controls the regulator so that the outlet pressure of the gas is either constant or uniform regardless of the rate of flow or increases slightly as the rate of flow of the gas increases. By reason of the fact that the upper end of the sleeve terminates immediately beneath the outlet 26 the gas passing upwards through the sleeve all flows in a concentrated stream into the outlet and there is no likelihood when the rate of flow of the gas increases as a result of the increased demand by the appliances of the system in which the regulator is installed of the gas striking against and being deflected laterally by the outlet defining portion of the casing and thus overcoming the jet action and causing either a diminution in outlet pressure or so-called hunting or surging, that is fluctuation of the outlet pressure. By eliminating hunting or surging maximum efficiency of the regulator is obtained.

The sleeve 60 which surrounds the valve 48 and causes the gas entering the casing |5 via the inlet 48 to fiow upwards in an annular stream into the outlet 26 so as to produce a jet action extending slot 65 through which the valve carrying end of the lever 84 extends. This slot, as shown in Figure 4, extends from a point directly above the top face of the valve 48 to and through the upper edge of the sleeve. As shown in Figure 2. the slot is but slightly greater in width Y than the valve carrying end of the lever. Because of this but little, if any. gas escapes from the sleeve via the slot 68 and the gas which impinges against the bottom face of. the valve carrying end of the lever and tends to flow laterally is confined within the sleeve so that it is directed upwards into the gas outlet 26. The valve 48 is supported from the lever by means of a horizontally extending rod 86 which extends across the top portion of the sleeve and is mounted in oppositely facing holes 61, in the sleeve. The central portion of the pin overlies the portion of the lever above the stud 58 and rests on the central portion of a strip 61 of spring wire. The spring wire strip extends longitudinally of the lever and is bent downwardly at one end so as to form an anchor piece 68. The latter extends downwardly into a hole 89 in the central portion of the lever 34. A hole III is formed in thelever so that it intersects the hole 69 and permits the central portion of the anchor piece 68 to be deflected by way of a punching tool or similar device. The central portion of the spring wire strip 61 bears against the pin 86 and is under such spring tension as the result of the bend which forms the anchor piece 61 that it urges the valve 48- upwardly and holds the stud 58 in the notch 51. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing there is suflicient clearance between the pin 86 and the top face of the subjacent portion of the lever to permit the valve to be forced downwardly against the force of the spring in order to permit of assembly and removal of the valve 48 with respect to the lever. The free end of the spring wire strip 61 extends downwardly and is provided with an upturned hook part II. This book part is adapted to facilitate mounting of the valve on the lever when the lever is in the casing, and extends through a vertically extendingslot 12 in the sleeve 60. As shown in Figures 4 and 5 the slot 12 is positioned diametrically opposite the slot and extends from a point adjacent the upper or top face of the valve 48 to the upper edge of the sleeve. In assembling or mounting the valve on the lever the spring wire strip 61 is pressed downwardly either by placing the finger against the hook part II or by first moving the hook part downwardly with the pin 66. Thereafter the valve is shifted inwardly and downwardly toward the lever until the stud 58 is brought intoregistry with the notch 51. When the valve is released the spring wire strip 81 springs or forces the valve upwardly and snaps the stud into place in the notch 51. When it is desired to remove the valve from. the lever the plate 2| is first removed and then the valve is moved downwardly against the force of the spring wire strip and pulled away from the lever. The spring wire strip 81 is held against transverse displacement with respect to the lever by means of a pair of laterally spaced webs 13. These webs extend upwardly from and are formed as an integral part of the top face of the lever. They lap the sides of the spring wire strip and are positioned directly above the cylindrical hearing member 43 for the pin 42. During tilting of the valve 48 with respect to the lever in connection with closing of the disk 55 against the tapered part of the valve seat 49 the pin 88 rides on top of the central portion of the spring wire strip 61. The outer or .free. end of the spring wire strip 61 is preferably of such length that the hook part is readily accessible when the plate 2| is removed from the casing. As shown valve seat 48 and strikes against the bottom face.

of the disk 56 at the bottom'of the valve 48. From this disk the gas flows outwardly until it encounters the lower end of the sleeve 80 and the curved or rounded bottom corner of the valve. From this point the gas, as previously described, flows upwardly in an annular stream within the sleeve and passes into the outlet 26. When the appliances which are supplied with gas by the service pipe 30a are operated at greater capacity and as a result the flow of gas through the service pipe 30a increases the diaphragm 33 in the regulator casing operates because of the resultant decrease in pressure of the gas in the chamber I9 to open the valve 48 so as to permit of an increase in flow of the gas from the branch pipe 28a to the service pipe. This increase in fiow or volume of the gas increases itspressure in the service pipe 30a. When the appliances receiving gas from the service pipe 30a are cut down so as to decrease the consumption of gas,

pressure builds up in the chamber l9 and causes the diaphragm 33 through the medium of the lever 34 to shift the valve so as to decrease the orifice between the valve and the valve seat and thus reduce the inflow of gas through the casing and stabilize the outlet pressure. Because of the manner in which the gas flows into the outlet 26 and the resultant jet action in the.

regulator casing the regulator operates to cause a slight increase in outlet pressure of the gas as the rate of flow of gas increases through the service pipe 300.. V I

In order to permit of the escape of gas in the event that excess pressure is developed in the chamber I9 as the result of foreign particles preventing closing of the valve 48, a relief tube 14 is provided. This tube extends through the cross wall lid of the lower casing part I! andis arranged so that one end thereof projects downwardly into a cup 15 which is partially filled with mercury and communicates with the relief chamber 20. the gas chamber IS the gas displaces the mercury in the cup and escapes via the relief chamber 20 to a vent opening 16.

The herein described service regulator is not only extremely efficient in operation but may bemanufactured at a low and reasonable cost due to the simplicity of the valve assembly. The valve assembly which includes the sleeve 60 is characterized by the fact that it is of unitary character and may be readily removed for cleaning or replacement purposes. By employing the sleeve 60 the gas is controlled, as previously pointed out so that it flows into the outlet 25 in a tubular stream and produces a jet action. Due to the fact that the sleeve is smaller in diameter than the outlet and'its upper end terminates but When excessive pressure develops in a small distance below the outlet the gas flows upwards into the outlet in a concentrated manner and there is no likelihood of the annular stream due to increased flow of the gas increasing in diameter to apoint where the jet action is eliminated. By connecting the sleeve to the valve so that it moves with the latter any dirt or dust particles which may accumulate on the inner face of the sleeve are Jarred loose when the valve is closed'and thus the sleeve is selfcleaning. In view of the fact that the portion of the lever against which the gas impinges or strikes during upward flow to the outlet 26 is encased or enclosed by the sleeveno gas is permitted to flow laterally under the diaphragm and produce so-called hunting or surging." By employing the sleeve for controlling the flow of gas from the inlet tothe outlet the valve 48 may be made comparatively small with a view of reducing the lock-up" pressure of the regulator.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pressure regulator comprising a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another portion thereof an inlet for gas under pressure, and a gas outlet directly oppposite to the inlet,

the combination of means forming a valve seat around the inner endof the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and the outlet and in spaced relation with respect to the interior surfaces of the casing and having a seat engaging face disposed directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst,

a sleeve having one end thereof extending in spaced relation around and connected to the valve and its other end terminating adjacent to, but spaced inwardly from, the outlet and provided with a slot, and adapted to cause the gas after striking against the seat engaging face of the valve to flow into-the outlet in a concentrated stream and in such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of the outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as the rate of flow of gas into the outlet increases and effcts a corresponding diminution or decrease of pressure of the gas in the casing, and a lever for moving the valve in response to fluctuation of the diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate or control the pressure of the gas flowing out of the casing via the outlet, fulcrumed centrally in the casing and having one end thereof extending through the slot in the sleeve and operatively connected to the valve and its other end connected to the diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fluctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure within the casing.

2. In a pressure regulator comprising a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another portion thereof an inlet for gas under pressure and an annular gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, the combination of means forming a valve seat around the inner end of the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and the outlet and in spaced relation with, respect to the interior surfaces of the casing and having a seat engaging face disposed directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst and also having a continuous side face centrally positioned with respect to, and smaller in diameter than, the outlet, a substantially cylindrical sleeve having one end thereof extending in a concentric manner around and spaced from the side wall of the valve and forming an annular passage between it and the valve and having its other end projecting beyond the valve and, terminating adjacent to, but spaced slightly inwardly from, the outlet and provided with a slot, said sleeve being smaller in diameter than the outlet and adapted to cause the gas after striking against the seat engaging face of the valve to flow through the annular passageway and then in a concentrated stream into the outlet in such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of said outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as the rate of flow of gas into the outlet increases and effects a corresponding diminution or decrease of pressure of the gas in the casing, and a lever for moving the valve in response to fiuc-- tuation of the diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate or control the pressure of the gas flowing out of the casing via the outlet, fulcrumed centrally in the casing and having one end thereof extending through the slot in the sleeve and operatively connected to the valve and its other end connected tothe diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fluctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure within the casing.

3. In a pressure regulator comprising a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another portion thereof an inlet for gas under pressure and a gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, the combination of means forming a valve seat around the inner end of the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and outlet and in spaced relation with respect to the interior surfaces of the casing and having a seat engaging face disposed directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst and also having a substantially continuous side face centrally positioned with respect to the gas outlet, a lever for moving the valve in response to fluctuation of the diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate or control the pressure of the gas flowing out of the casing via the outlet, centrally fulcrumed in the casing and having oneend thereof connected and extending to the valve and its other end connected to the diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fluctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure within the casing, means for causing the gas after striking against the seat engaging-face of the valve to flow in a thin tubular stream around the side face of the valve and then to pass by said one end of the lever and directly into the outlet in such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of the outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as the said one end of the lever so that it flows with the rest of the gas directly into the outlet.

'4. In a pressure regulator comprising a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another portion thereof an inlet for gas under pressure and a gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, the combination of means forming a valve seat around the inner end of the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and outlet and in spaced relation with respect to the interior surfaces of the casing and having a seat engaging face disposed directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst and also having a substantially continuous side face centrally positioned with respect to the gas outlet, a lever for moving the valve in response to fluctuation of the diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate or control the pres-. sure of the gas flowing out of the casing via the outlet, centrally fulcrumed in the casing and having one end thereof connected and extending to the valve and its other end connected to the diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fluctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure within the casing, means for causing the gas after striking against the seat engaging face of the valve to flow in a thin tubular stream around the side face of the valve and then to pass by said one end of the lever and directly into the outlet in such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of the outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as the rate of flow of gas into the outlet'increases and effects a corresponding diminution or decrease of pressure of the gas in the chamber, and deflector forming means extending around said one end of the lever for directing or guiding any gas striking against said one end of the lever so that it flows with the rest of the gas directly into the outlet.

2,199,827 for directing or guiding any gas striking against 5. In a pressure regulator comprising a casing having in one portion. thereof a diaphragm adapt-1 ed to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another por- 1 tion thereof an inlet for gas under pressure and a gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, the

thereof extending in spaced relation around, and

connected to, the valve and its other end terminating adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the outlet and provided with a longitudinal slot, and arranged to cause the gas after striking against the seat engaging face of the valve to flow into the outlet in a concentrated stream and in such manner as to create adjacent to'the inner end of the outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as the rate of flow of gas into the outlet increases and effects a corresponding diminution or decrease of pressure of the gas in the casing, a member extending across said other end of the sleeve, a lever for actuating the valve in response to fluctuation of the diaphragm fulcrumed 'centrally in the casing and having one end thereof extending through the slot and into the sleeve and its other end operatively connected to the diaphragm, a stud and notch connection between the valve and said one end of the lever operative to permit the valve to move relatively to the lever, and spring means carried by said one end-of the lever and applied to the cross member in such manner that the valve is urged toward said one 

